The frustrating thing from my truthseeker perspective is the seeming unwillingness of the media sorts to ask the obvious question: Why change attorneys between the arrest/bonding ($1000) hearing and the plea? What happened?
HatTip arkansasmimi ORLANDO – Shellie Zimmerman says she’s not guilty of perjury. Her new attorney, Kelly B. Sims, today filed paperwork, entering that plea on her behalf. That means that she won’t have to show up at the Seminole County criminal building Tuesday for arraignment.
Zimmerman, 25, is accused of lying when she told Circuit Judge Kenneth Lester Jr., while under oath, that she and her husband were broke.
At the time, prosecutors allege they had ready access to $130,000, money donated by supporters of her husband, murder defendant George Zimmerman.
Friday was the first time Sims, a board-certified criminal-trial specialist, was identified as Shellie Zimmerman’s lawyer. The Orlando attorney has been practicing in Florida for more than 20 years and has worked on high-profile cases in the past.
He defended John Vining, a man accused of shooting a 39-year-old Longwood woman in the head to steal $60,000 worth of diamonds in 1987. Vining was convicted and sentenced to death. Now 81, he remains on death row.
However, Sims helped spare another high-profile client that fate. After Jeremy Skocz was convicted of first-degree murder in the November 1995 smothering of the 4-year-old Shelby Cox, a jury recommended a death sentence. Skocz’s defense won him a second sentencing hearing, and Sims successfully argued for life in prison. Skocz, 35, remains behind bars.
Sims couldn’t immediately be reached for comment Friday afternoon. His filings were received by the Seminole County clerk about 4:35 p.m., a court spokeswoman said.
His new high-profile client is currently free on $1,000 bail and living in hiding in Seminole County. Shellie Zimmerman was arrested six weeks ago but has made no public comment since then.
The charge carries a possible maximum sentence of five years in jail.
Her next court date was not immediately available. (article)